Jon Dunham

Marcus Law believes Kettering Town are involved in “a big game of poker” as he prepares to put his squad together for the new campaign.

A number of last season’s Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central title-winning squad have already left Latimer Park with Jason Lee and James Jepson being the latest to depart.

But, as the new Poppies boss prepares for a Premier Division campaign, he insists he isn’t fazed by the job in front of him.

It was confirmed this week that Elliot Sandy has agreed a new deal to stay at Kettering while an option on Dubi Ogbonna’s contract for another year has also been taken up.

And the good news continued as Gary Mulligan also revealed he will be staying with the club for the new season.

As far as bringing in new players, Law insists he has “irons in the fire” but he is happy to keep his cards close to his chest for the time being.

“It is probably a bit frustrating for the fans because they are used to the days where you are putting players on contracts early in the summer and preparing for a full-time league,” he said.

“We aren’t at that level at the moment and I know people would have been reading about clubs signing this player and that player but we can’t sign anyone on non-contract forms until next month anyway.

“And even when those are done, things can always change quickly again.

“I have got lots of irons in fires and agreements in principle but until anything is signed, we will be staying quiet.

“The last thing I want to do is say we have signed someone for it then not to happen and I don’t want to give names of players we are hoping to take from other clubs because all that will do is alert others.

“It is a big game of poker at the moment, everyone is talking to everyone else.

“I spoke with the players and the existing staff members at the weekend.

“All I said to the players was for them to back themselves and come in for pre-season and help us move forward.

“Everyone will be non-contract and even during pre-season it may be the case that they feel I’m not the manager for them and they might not be what I need.

“I know some of them have been keen to get deals done and if that’s the case, it’s their choice.

“We will be starting pre-season at the end of the month and that will be the point at which signings will start being confirmed.

“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes and the squad is formulated in my mind but my experience tells me things will change.”

Law, meanwhile, will face Kettering’s supporters for the first time since his return to the club during a fans’ forum at Latimer Park tonight (Friday).

“I am looking forward to it, it will be good to get reacquainted with a few of them (the fans),” he added.

“I am sure they will have a lot of questions and hopefully I will be able to give them the answers that will make them happy.”